Switch for electric lamps



(No Medal.)

G. T. BENSON.

SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

Patented Nov. 27

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WITNESSES:

N. PEYERS. Photo-lithograph". Wxshingicn. 0. c.

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GEORGE T. BENSON, OF NEXV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO JOHN S. KELSO, JR,

OF STAMFORD,

CONNECTICUT.

SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,971, dated November 27, 1883.

" Application filed August 24, 1892. (No model.)

To all zuf'bo'nb in may 601211367721:

Be it known that I, Gnonon '1. BENSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches for Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in switches particularly adapted for use with that class of electric lamps in which the current is caused to pass through and heat a carbon fiber lamps and electric devices.

or filament forming part of the current, and which carbon fiber or filament is inclo'sed in a glass tube or globe from which the air is ex hausted, so as to form avacuum, or is filled with an artificial atmosphere. My device may, however, be applied to other descriptions of According to my invention, I arrange a cup or cylinder formed by preference of hard rubber or vul'canite, at one end of which is arranged a rubber or vulcanite ring, inwhich is applied by cement or otherwise the tube or globe in which the carbons are arranged. To this ring are applied three or other suitable number of spring-strips, two of which form connectors, and to one of each of the two which serve as connectors is soldered the lower on d of one of the wires leadingto the carbons. When the globe is in position onthe cup or cylinder, the connectors pass down within the cup or cylinder and bear against brass or other suitable metallic plates, one of which is connected to abrass plate forming a segment of a circle, and arranged on the surface of a cam-piece,hereinafter explainechin the center of which revolves a spring-shaft, on the end of which is affixed a metallic connectingbar adapted to simultaneously come in contact with the opposite segments of the cam-piece. The cam-piece is formed with four segments or divisions, the surfaces of two of which are provided with metallic conductors, and two are formed with non-conducting faces. The sec ond conducting-face of the cam-piece is connected by a shortwire to a metallic nozzle affixed in the bottom or base of the cup or cylinder, and which is by preference tapped, so as to be capable of application by screwing to the arm of a chandelier or other suitable supporting means. The second metallic plate afflxed to the cup or cylinder is connected to a binding-screw, to which is attached a'wire leading to the generator. A handle is formed on the spring-shaft, by means of which its metallic connecting-bar may be brought alter natel yin conjunction with the metallic or con ducting faces or the non-conducting portions of the cam-piece, according to whether it is or is not desired to illuminate the carbons.

The accompanying drawings form part of this specification, and illustrate what I. (3011- sider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of my improved device with a lamp mounted therein in position for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken at right angles to Fig. 1, showing the lamp removed. Fig. Sis a plan of the device with the lamp removed. Fi 4 isahorizontal section on. the line am: of Fig. 1.. Fig. 5 is a separate side view of the la1np-holding ring and parts connected therewith. Fig. 6 is a face view of the cam-piece, spring-shaft, and connecting-bar separately. Fig. 7 is a section of part of the cup or cylinder, taken tl'irough the center of the cam-piece. Fig. 8 is a detached view of the spring-shaft and handle.

In each of the views similar letters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts wherever they occur.

A is the cup or cylinder, of rubber or other suitable material, at one end of which is arranged a ring, B, formed of rubber, vulcanite, or other suitable material, and in which is applied by cement or otherwise the tube or globe C, in which the carbon 0 is arranged. To this ring B are applied three or other suitable number of spring-strips, b b Zr, two of which, I) 1), form connectors, and to one of each I) b is soldered the lower end of one of the wires 0 or 0' which lead up through the base of the lamp C and support the carbon 0. \Vhen the lamp 0 is in position 011 the cup or cylinder A, as shown by Fig. 1, the springstrips '6 b b pass down within the cup or cylinder A, the strip 1) simply bearing against the blank or non-conducting portion of the cylinder or cup A, while the spring-strips b I), which form the connectors, bear against me tallic plates D supported on the inner periphery of the cylinder or cup A. The metallic plate D is connected to a metallic plate forming a segment, f, of a circular campiece, F, which is mounted on the side of the cup or cylinder A. In the center of this cam-piece F, I arrange a spring-shaft, G, which is capable of being revolved. In the end of the spring-shaft G, I apply a metallic connectingbar, and at y it is provided with a coiled or other suitable spring, 9 by means of which the shaft G, formed of rubber or other nonconducting material, and metallic connectingbar 9, are retained in the desired position, as hereinafter explained. The cam-piece F is formed with four segments or divisions, f f f f, the-surfaces of the segments or divisionsj' f being provided with plates of metal, f ffiwhich serve as conductors, while the two divisions f f are formed of rubber or other non-conducting material. The second conducting-piece 011 the surface ,of the face of the segment or division f is connected by a short wire, f, with a metallic nozzle, A affixed in the bottom or base A of the cup or cylinder A, and which, as shown in the drawings, is tapped, so as to be capable of application by screwing to the arm of a chandelier or other suitable supporting means. (Not sh own.) The second metallic plate, E, affixed to the cup or cylinder A, is connected to a bindingscrew, H, the shank h of which passes through the cup or cylinder A, and has applied to it a wire, h, leading to the electric generator. A handle, G, is formed'on the spring-shaft G, by means of which its metallic connecting-bar 9 may be brought alternately in conjunction with the metallic or conducting faces f f on opposite sides of the cam-piece F, asshown by Fig. 6, or the non-conducting portions f f thereof, as shown by Fig. 2, according to whether it is or is not desired to illuminate the carbons.

If it is desired to illuminate the carbon or carbons c in the lamp 0, the parts are turned into the position shown by Fig. 6. If it is not desired that the carbons shall be illuminated, the parts will be turned into the position shown by Fig. 2.

The surfaces f f f 2 f are all formed on an incline, so as to assume the form of a four-sectioned cam, the spring G serving at all times to draw the metallic connecting-bar g toward the faces of the cam-piece F, to insure the parts-coming into correct relation with the desired pair of surfaces thereof.

WVhen it is desired to turn the light on or off, it is simply necessary to push upon the handle G, so as to depress the shaft and spring g and then turn thesame so asto bring the connecting-bar into connection with the plates f f to form a circuit, or with the non-conducting parts f 2 f to break a circuit. I

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a switch for an electric lamp, the combination, with a cam-piece formed with segments or divisions, the surfaces of which are alternately provided with metallic plates and formed with non-conducting faces, of a revolving cross-pin or contact-maker fixed rigidly to a spring-controlled axis adapted to allow of a yielding contact of the transverse contact-maker, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an electric switch having a series of inclined faces arranged radially from a com mon center, and provided alternately with conducting and non-conducting surfaces, the

combination of a central revolving springcontrolled shaft, G, and a transverse connecting-bar or contact-maker, g, substantially as shown and described.

3. In an electric switch, the combination, with the cup or cylinder A, plates or connections D E, a lamp globe or tube, supportingring B, and spring-strips b b If, of the segmental inclined cam-piece F, spring-controlled shaft G, and cross-piece or contact-maker g, substantially as shown and described.

4. In combination with an electric switch formed with a cam-piece, F, provided with radial inclined sections alternately formed with conducting and non-conducting surfaces, a central shaft or axis, G, capable of a ro tary and horizontal motion, and a transverse connecting-bar or contact-maker, 9, controlled in position by a thumb-piece or handle, 9, and shaft-controlling spring 9 substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of August, 1882.

GEO. T. BENSON. Vitnesses:

WM. HUTCI-IISON, J. O. H. CLARK.

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